Chuck Berry Biography
With the simple song lyrics: "Riding along in my automobile, my baby beside me at the wheel," Chuck Berry encapsulated the dreams of teenage America in the 50s. Sadly, the same can't be said of his 1972 novelty hit, My Ding-A-Ling in which Chuck implored us to "play with my ding-a-ling." Oh dear. But Berry's influence on rock was incalculable. The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan and The Beach Boys all cite him as a major influence. John Lennon once said: "If you tried to give rock 'n' roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'." Despite his influence, Berry's own career was erratic, permeated by brushes with the law, poor professional decisions and an insistence on being paid for gigs in sackfuls of cash before he went on stage!
Charles Edward Berry was born on 18 October, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri. Berry's parents sang in the Baptist choir but Chuck's formative years were anything but devout. He learned the guitar while still at school but at the age of 18 he was sent to reform school for three years after being convicted of attempted armed robbery. Upon his release he worked in menial jobs while perfecting his songwriting. Berry soon became a local attraction as part of a blues trio but during a trip to Chicago, Berry was lucky enough to meet up with the legendary bluesman Muddy Waters who put him in touch with Chess Records. By the summer of 1955, his first Chess recording, Maybellene (an adaptation of an old country standard), was riding high in the US charts, helped by DJ Alan Freed who played the record on national radio. Berry's rock and roll template was established - as well as inventing his infamous duck walk on stage, Berry injected wit and humour into his lyrics, presenting rock and roll as teenage rebellion. Musically he was influenced by the guitar strut of T Bone Walker. The musical blueprint would serve him well right until the end of the 50s with further hits including the magnificent rock and roll classics Roll Over Beethoven, Sweet Little Sixteen, Too Much Monkey Business and Johnny B. Goode. Berry's status as an anti-establishment rock and roll star was assured. Encouraged by Alan Freed he appeared in several rock films including Rock, Rock, Rock, Mr Rock 'n' Roll and Go Johnny Go in 1959.
Blues Fest 29 Years Young - Press-Enterprise
Blues Fest 29 Years YoungPress-Enterprise, CA - 8 hours agoHe will join other legends, including Chuck Berry, Taj Mahal, John Mayall, Charlie Musselwhite and more on Saturday and Sunday. "I've played there a couple ...The Long Beach Blues Festival Is the Anti-Warped/Anti-Coachella ... OC Weeklyall 2 news articles
Chuck Berry's house rocks - The Associated Press
Washington PostChuck Berry's house rocksThe Associated Press - Aug 8, 2008LOUIS (AP) ? A modest, one-story red-brick house that rock and roll legend Chuck Berry bought in 1950 will be considered for listing in the National ...Virgin Mobile Festival Preview: Vital Albums Washington Postall 92 news articles
Backyard Tire Fire: Never Came Easy - JamBase
JamBaseBackyard Tire Fire: Never Came EasyJamBase, CA - 6 hours ago... vans and wobbly trailers to run with the sputtering torch lit by Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and the other snot-nosed pioneers in what became rock. ...
Chuck Berry to put on homecoming concert at UI - Iowa City Press Citizen
Chuck Berry to put on homecoming concert at UIIowa City Press Citizen, IA - Aug 24, 2008"The Father of Rock 'n' Roll," guitar legend Chuck Berry, will play at the University of Iowa's Pentacrest lawn following the Homecoming parade Sept. 26. ...
'Sulking' singer Chuck Berry abandons concerts after row with his ... - Telegraph.co.uk
Telegraph.co.uk'Sulking' singer Chuck Berry abandons concerts after row with his ...Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Jul 30, 2008Rock and roll legend Chuck Berry has failed to turn up for two sell-out concerts in Spain apparently because he was sulking after his daughter ticked him ...Chuck Berry is A-OK, despite reports St. Louis Post-DispatchUpdate: Chuck Berry not ill, just sulking WhatGoesOn.comCHUCK BERRY - BERRY IN 'PERFECT' HEALTH Contactmusic.comPost Chronicle - China Postall 38 news articles
Story rustles up memories of Chuck Berry's arrest - Roanoke Times
Story rustles up memories of Chuck Berry's arrestRoanoke Times, VA - Aug 23, 2008By Tad Dickens Last week, when we wrote about the 50th anniversary of Chuck Berry?s conviction in Roanoke County on a peeping charge at Lakeside Amusement ...
Chuck Berry House Nominated as Landmark - New York Times
Chuck Berry House Nominated as LandmarkNew York Times, United States - Aug 11, 2008A house in St. Louis that once belonged to Chuck Berry will be considered for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, The Associated Press ...CHUCK BERRY'S HOUSE MAY BE 'HISTORIC': S... Eurweb.comall 9 news articles
Istanbul Chuck Berry concert postponed until Nov. 9 - Hürriyet
Istanbul Chuck Berry concert postponed until Nov. 9Hürriyet, Turkey - Aug 13, 2008The Istanbul performance of rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry was postponed from Aug. 15 to Nov. 9. Concert organizers say the concert was postponed due to ...
St. Louis To Liverpool / Berry Is On Top - All About Jazz
St. Louis To Liverpool / Berry Is On TopAll About Jazz, PA - Aug 21, 2008By Mike Perciaccante John Lennon was quoted as saying, ?If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'! ...
A Wistful Geek Heads for Sweet iPhone Hell - Wired News
A Wistful Geek Heads for Sweet iPhone HellWired News - Aug 26, 2008Right now, I can have a thought like, "I wonder who had a hit first, Chuck Berry or Little Richard?" and allow that question to wander around in my head. ...
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